49ERS NOTEBOOK / Davis has a point to prove to Chargers

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, October 14, 2006

Cornerback Sammy Davis' opportunity for payback against his former team grew Friday, with the news that starter Walt Harris is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Harris, who's having a career year, tweaked his leg at the end of Thursday's practice, didn't practice Friday, and is listed as "questionable" for Sunday's game against the visiting Chargers.

"It's a little strange," Davis said of his possible start against the team that traded him April 13 to San Francisco for wide receiver Rashaun Woods. It was a swap of disappointing first-round choices, and Woods continued to disappoint while in San Diego.

He pulled a hamstring in training camp and was released after he returned from the injury.

Davis is the 49ers' extra defensive back in nickel and dime packages. So far this year, Davis has made eight tackles, has two dropped interceptions and has defended two other passes.

Davis said he wants to play well to make the Chargers sorry for releasing him, but he also doesn't want his emotions to get the better of him.

"I'm not going to get carried away with it," he said.

Davis spent four years with the Chargers after they drafted him 30th in 2003, and is familiar with the San Diego receivers.

"I know their routes; I think that gives me an advantage," he said.

The 49ers would like to bolster their ailing secondary by acquiring former Pro Bowl defensive back Troy Vincent, who was recently released by the Bills. Vincent was placed on injured reserve after pulling his hamstring in the season-opening loss to New England.

Vincent, 35, requested his release after he regained his health.

"He's still a good football player," vice president of player personnel Scot McCloughan said. "He could help us."

Vincent, who had his best days as a cornerback in Philadelphia, is now a safety. He made 102 tackles and had four interceptions with the Bills last year.

McCloughan said Vincent can play cornerback or safety, and that about half of the teams in the league would be interested in him, though he might want to stay on the East Coast. The 49ers could offer him a chance for plenty of playing time.

Igor returns: Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky will be playing football in San Francisco for the first time in anything other than a St. Ignatius High uniform.

Born in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, on May, 3, 1982, Olshansky emigrated to San Francisco from the former Soviet Union when he was 7, after his family renounced their citizenship.

Olshansky, who was picked by the Chargers in the second round of the 2004 draft and is in his third year as a starter, played basketball in high school until former S.I. football coach Vince Tringali spotted him in the stands while watching a football game.

Olshansky, who speaks to Tringali about once a month, was persuaded to play football. After two years playing for S.I., he won a scholarship to Oregon before being drafted by San Diego.

"He plays a power game," said offensive lineman Adam Snyder, who will face the 6-6 309-pounder on Sunday.

Olshansky set a team record in college with a 505-pound bench press. He also was able to keep his promise to his parents when he signed his first contract. He bought them a condominium on Brannan Street.

Briefly: Guard Larry Allen practiced sparingly Friday and is still listed as doubtful. Tackle Jonas Jennings is also doubtful after Monday's hand surgery. ... Linebacker Manny Lawson can't wait to face his former college teammate Philip Rivers, who is the Chargers' quarterback. "I always enjoyed jawing with him in practice," Lawson said. "And this time I can touch him." ... McCloughan said there wasn't much happening with the trade deadline looming Tuesday.